Town News Briefing

A 30-year-old man convicted of second-degree assault and risk of injury to a minor in connection with shaking and injuring his 3-month-old daughter was sentenced to four years in prison Wednesday.

Jose Ardon declined to make a statement during his sentencing in Superior Court in Hartford. The incident occurred in East Hartford in February 2004.

Prosecutor Donna Mambrino said the infant made a ``miraculous recovery,'' although it is still unclear whether she will have lingering effects as she grows. Ardon's parental rights have been terminated, Mambrino said.

Judge Thomas Miano meted out a 10-year prison sentence suspended after four years, followed by five years of probation. Conditions of Ardon's probation include no contact with the victim.

EAST HARTFORD

Nine Adult Ed Students

To Graduate Monday

EAST HARTFORD -- Nine students are scheduled to receive diplomas when the town's adult education program hold its 35th high school graduation Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy.

Four other students -- Soraida Delvalle, Danielle Mullaney, Julian Romero and Timothy Shriel Jr. -- also are to be honored for passing high school equivalency tests.

The academy is at 857 Forbes St., next to East Hartford High School.

Adults who already have some high school credits and who would like to finish high school can earn six to eight credits a year in the evening credit diploma program. Free classes are offered at the high school.

MANCHESTER -- Constance L. Belfiore, a member of the East Catholic High School Class of 1969, will be the featured speaker at the school's graduation ceremony next month.

A resident of University Park, Md., Belfiore is a nationally known lawyer and judicial educator who has devoted her career to improving access to justice for the disadvantaged. She is a consultant to several organizations and speaks nationally on the subject of balancing one's professional and personal life.

The graduation ceremony is scheduled for June 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford.

MANCHESTER -- A Hartford man has filed a complaint with the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities saying police officers unlawfully detained him because he's black.

Frantz Eloi of Girard Avenue said officers conducted a ``sham investigation'' and ``unwarranted interrogation'' at about 8:30 a.m. last Oct. 1, when they were called to the Dunkin' Donuts store at 244 Center St.

He said he was detained for 30 minutes, which he called a violation of his civil rights.

According to the police report of the incident, the doughnut shop called police because Eloi was unruly, Capt. Marc Montminy said. An employee told officers Eloi had avoided a line of cars waiting at the drive-through window by cutting in front of them. She told him to get back in line, she said.

Eloi told police he did wait in line, but when he tried to place an order by using the speaker, the employees couldn't hear him, so he pulled up to the window. Eloi was not arrested, Montminy said.

``His complaint sounds completely unsubstantiated,'' Montminy said.

Eloi also filed a complaint against the doughnut shop.

MANCHESTER

Police Recruitment Fair

Scheduled Saturday

MANCHESTER -- The police department will give people a taste of police work at a recruitment fair Saturday.

Registration begins at 9:45 a.m. The fair runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the police department, 239 East Middle Turnpike. Those attending should plan on participating for the full three hours.

Prospective candidates will learn about the police academy, the department's indoor shooting range, its detective and traffic divisions and the regional SWAT team. They will have the chance to talk to a dog handler, school resource officer and narcotics officers.

Those interested in attending are asked to register ahead of time by calling 860-647-3170.